Paul Mosley – A Chattering Of Birds
(Folkwit Records)
CD/DL
Out Now
With fans ranging from Graham Coxon
to Jools Holland, Paul Mosley has been quoted as a writer of “genius
songs”. Louder Than Wars Paul
Scott-Bates finds out why.
When you’re faced with listening to
an album of birdsongs, to say your passion is somewhat underwhelmed is a bit of
an understatement. But, wait a minute,
this isn’t an album of Johnny Morris and
his musings, this is an album of rather impressive quality.
The bird songs in question are
beautifully crafted by a man whom I have, for my sins, never previously heard
of. Paul Mosley writes lovely folk-pop
songs of endearing quality and unparalleled charm. Take the title track and opener with its wry
“A chattering of birds, gets on my nerves”, blending Talk Talk with Colin
Vearncombe’s Black, in an unusual and brave start to an album. Slow paced but perfect.
Hummingbird could almost be Seasick
Steve both in terms of vocals and the blues/rock/boogie feel of the song. The fantastically dark The Beast oozes
feeling and emotion and is simply stunning.
Said beast circling in the air signalling the end.
The highlight of the album could
well come in the shape of Red Crow.
Sumptuous guitar playing and another brilliant lyric tipping a hat in
the direction of Don McLean or Andy Fairweather Low. You can’t help but fall in love with songs
like this, they grip you and don’t let go.
There are also hints of Mark Cohen
and Tom McRae which lends testament to the diversity of the album with a great
brass accompaniment on Champion. There
are sweeping violins, double bass and harps itching to get out of some of the
arrangements too. It’s a very refreshing
album by an artist you really should check out, sounding a little American in
parts (don’t let that put you off) and performing songs that deserve to be
appreciated by a mass audience.
Album closer, Hey! It’s The End f
The World sees Paul reach incredibly high notes with an end to an album that
you’ll want to listen to again and again.
And, any song with the line “Bring on the exploding dancing girls”
immediately wins my approval.
8.5/10
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